Aging & Social Change: Fourteenth Interdisciplinary Conference

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand how older adults in Trinidad and Tobago perceive and understand the ageing experience or process; and to measure older adults’ ageing comprehension based on their ranked self-perceptions. A convergent mixed methods study design is utilized. The qualitative method utilizes focus groups where participants are asked open ended questions, using a semi-structured guide, about their physical, mental, and social health and ageing experiences. They are audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. For the quantitative phase, the brief Ageing Perspectives Questionnaire is used to measure ageing comprehension. Subjects are Trinidadian and Tobagonian adults aged 60 to 85 years who show no obvious signs of cognitive impairment. For the focus groups, subjects are recruited through advertisements posted on social media, at health clinics, doctor’s offices, and supermarkets. Snowball sampling is also utilized. For the survey, subjects are recruited through the membership listing of the Trinidad and Tobago Association of Retired Persons (TTARP) which is a local nonprofit organization aimed towards providing a service for persons 50 years and older. 48 subjects participated in the qualitative phase of this study and 420 subjects participated in the quantitative phase. This study is expected to provide better insight for local health and social services to be able to respond to the challenges or issues that may exist during ageing, and to assist public health professionals in developing more targeted intervention programs to ensure healthy ageing.